When the NHL Gods give the Dallas Stars lemons, they throw those away in the trash. The Stars had an opportunity to advance to the Western Conference Finals yesterday. However, they decided to skate around the ice in the first period with no urgency to win the game. The Kraken saw right through their game plan and blitzed poor Jake Oettinger. The Stars would end up losing 6-3 to the Kraken.
The Stars are now facing their first game 7 of this year’s playoffs. The next game is a do-or-die situation. If the Stars end up winning, they advance to the third round. However, if they end up losing, the season is all over and it’s time to hit the golf course. That is the last thing that the Stars need to have to happen in this record-breaking season they are having under Pete DeBoer. Let’s take a look at the three takeaways from last night.
Dallas Stars vs Seattle Kraken Recap: 3. Scratch Esa Lindell or Jani Hakanpää
The Stars need to consider benching Esa Lindell or Jani Hakanpää for game 7. They were out there for three of the four goals that the Kraken scored. That performance cannot happen again in game 7 monday. If the Stars can’t scratch either, then they need to be split up for game 7. Hopefully both will actually show up on Monday night for game 7. Miro Heiskanen can’t stop everyone on the Kraken’s roster.
Dallas Stars vs Seattle Kraken Recap: 2. No urgency
There was no urgency throughout the entire Dallas Stars roster last night to close this series out. They were sleepwalking in the first period really not attacking the Kraken’s net the first ten minutes of the game. The Kraken took advantage with their speed and blitzed Otter in front of the net and that’s why we are playing in a game 7 on Monday night. Can’t have this happen again on Monday night or else start getting the golf clubs during the final intermission.
Dallas Stars vs Seattle Kraken Recap: 1. Otter getting yanked early
Jake Oettinger was pulled early last night in the second period. When he got pulled from the game, the Stars were already down 4-1 and it would have been a climb to get back in the game. My guess why he was pulled was to get his mind right for game 7. This will be his second game 7 of his young playoff career. He needs to play his butt off on Monday night to give the Stars a chance to wrap this up and advance to the Western Conference Finals.